TITLE: Dangerous Liaison
AUTHOR NAME: Marlena R. Snape
CATEGORY: Angst
SUB-CATEGORY: Suspense
RATING: PG-13 to R. There's some swearing, some trickery, some sexual content.
DISTRIBUTION: Ask and you might receive.
GENRE: Harry Potter AU - Alternate Universe.
CAST: Lena Snape (OC), Draco Malfoy, Oliver Wood, Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape, Krystal Wood-Snape (OC), Sirius Black, Narcissa Black-Malfoy, Mia Carmola-Black (OC), Angel Raye (Malfoy) (OC), Dravin Black (OC), to name a few for now.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, except for Lena Snape and credit to Krystal Wood-Snape and Dravin Black. Everything in this story is fiction, and I'm keeping this as true to the work as J.K Rowling, as physically possible, while creating my own scenario, inside of the Slytherin house, and lifestyle. Hopefully, my initial story will come out as good as my idea… haha. Just to state, this has little to do with the actual events in the stories, though - you'll notice some authentic quotes.

Note: In this, I'm going to do whatever it takes to make Draco AND Lena respectively, two of the biggest antagonists you've ever seen. Let's see if I succeed. Also, aside from the obvious, this has nothing to do with "Heir Of Snape". So don't assume things because you've read "H.o.S" to the point it went.

Chapter Four: Pandemonium Undone Pt. 1
Year Two At Hogwarts

Draco had the single most relaxed summers of his life. After all, he never had to worry about going to back to Hogwarts in the fall a summer previous. This summer made Draco realize how much he had ahead of him come September the first, and if the oncoming year was anything like the preceding? He was going to lose just another chunk of his sanity and self-control. During the summer, he received various notes from Severus - more as a mentor than just a professor, telling Draco little things he'd need for his special lessons with Professor Snape. Snape was teaching him a few things in potions the other students weren't ready for, after all - Malfoy possessed the predisposition.

Lucius was impressed by how quickly Draco had adapted to Severus, and that set the elder Malfoy's mind at ease. Apparently there had been no word about Lena all summer, about how she liked or despised Beauxbaton's, whether she was going back or not, nothing. Not a single breath uttered of the Snape's daughter upon Malfoy ears. Maybe that was for the better, as Draco had become compulsively inquisitive within the past few months. Technically it started in Diagon Alley when he nearly ran into Lena, unbeknownst to him.

Summer holidays were winding down, much to the chagrin of one particular Malfoy. Draco groaned as he eyed the calendar in his private study at the Malfoy Mansion, marking just one more square off. The day after, the only thing he had planned, which was scrawled across the square in his mother's handwriting, was school shopping.

How he loathed school shopping.

As soon as his father Lucius caught word of the date planned for the school shopping outing, he sent an advisory owl to Severus Snape. Severus had arranged for the day after Draco's shopping trip, he would personally take his incredibly impatient 'princess' to do hers. The close call last year shook the cautious fathers' foundations. They weren't taking any chances this year.

Draco's shopping nightmare came and passed, the blonde prince left in one piece, as far as the eye could see. The only negativity about his Diagon Alley treachery, was running into his cousin Dravin, who was with Graham Montague. Doing his best to ignore Dravin's presence, Draco continued on.

"Check it out," Draco heard Dravin Black's voice, amidst a chuckle. "but I think, it's asshole day in Diagon Alley."

"Cut it out, DC." Graham recommended quietly, "Don't start anything."

"Admirable suggestion…"

Lucius Malfoy's voice was annoyed, as Dravin just peered at his marital uncle. Draco smirked smugly, standing with his father, as Dravin mocked a gasp. Highly sarcastic of the platinum blonde standing before the Malfoy's, as Graham just sighed to himself. He didn't want to be in the middle of this, not again. Lucius sneered at Dravin, as Draco remained quiet for the moment.

"Wow. Uncle Lucy." he mocked a sniffle, "I - I thought you cared…"

"Call me such a title again, you filthy little parasite, and what's happened to your 'precious' daddy in Azkaban is going to look blithe and like tomfoolery compared to what you'll get."

The tone of Lucius's voice was serious, but Dravin looked irate by the comment. Draco snickered coldly, as Graham convinced Dravin to leave with him, surprisingly, it worked. As an angry Dravin walked off with Graham, Draco looked up at his father, admiration in his eyes, as he smiled.

"Brilliant, father." Draco said, "That was quite the show. Put that ungrateful prat in his place…"

"Take that as a lesson, Draco." Lucius advised, "Never let a Black over run you. Always put them in their place, where they belong."

After Diagon Alley with his father, who bought a set of seven Nimbus Two-Thousand and Ones for the Quidditch season, Draco returned home. It was later that night that he realized, while Lucius was at a meeting of the order, something was missing. He walked into the garden, where his mother was having tea with a lady with sandy blonde hair, someone he wasn't absolutely familiar with. He waited for his mother's attention to shift before speaking.

"Forgive the interruption," He insisted, before continuing. "but I'm afraid I forgot a couple things this afternoon while out with father." he paused slightly, "Forgive my haste."

"No need for an apology, darling." Narcissa said softly, "I can take you tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you, mother." Draco said, "I'll leave you to your tea. Pardon me."

Around his parents, as well as their associates and companions, Draco was definition in respect and honor to the Malfoy name. He didn't want his mother's friend to think that his parents raised him the wrong way. Oh no, that just wouldn't do. Leaving though, Draco heard a comment that fueled his already large ego for his age.

"He's so lovely, Narcissa. So well behaved. You and Lucius have done wonderfully with him. You brought up the perfect little prince."

"How nice of you to say," Narcissa said with a smile. "He is quite the young man already, I can only imagine he'll be just like his father."

The next afternoon, as she had promised, Narcissa returned Draco to Diagon Alley. Little did she know, her husband would have went right mad knowing about it. Draco ventured off on his own to the Quidditch shop, where he forgot his broom repair kit the day previous. He would need that. His mother, was out and about on her own, when outside of Flourish & Blotts…

"Severus!"

Narcissa spotted a very familiar ebony haired man. Severus Snape turned around swiftly toward where he heard his voice. Slightly stunned it was Narcissa Malfoy, but smiled non-the-less. Taking her hand, Severus kissed it respectfully, looking down at her. She still smiled.

"Wonderful to see you, Narcissa." he said, "How are you?"

"Fantastic. Lovely to see you as well," Narcissa replied. "beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Stunning," was Severus's unhesitant reply. He wasn't trying to pry, but decided to ask; "but on such a day, what brings you here?"

"Draco." Narcissa said, chuckling softly. "He forgot a couple things when Lucius brought him yesterday."

"Ah, I see." damn it! Severus mentally cursed to himself. "Youngsters. They often do that." Narcissa nodded to his comment with a smile.

"So very true." She said, "And you, Severus? Why do you waste your time here?"

"Start of term necessities." He replied, unphased. He knew just what to say. "Which, in fact, I should get."

"Oh, of course! Don't let me keep you." Narcissa told him with a smile, "Hope to see you soon, though, Severus. Do tell Krystal last night was delightful. I'll owl her tonight."

"Naturally." Severus said with a warm smile, placing a friendly peck kiss on Narcissa's cheek. "Do take care, my dear."

It was literally moments, between Severus and Narcissa's conversation, and Draco coming back to his mother with a parcel in his hand. As they passed Flourish & Blotts, Draco noticed inside Professor Snape, with a dark haired girl. From where they were, he couldn't see her face, however.

"Mother?"

"Yes, Draco?" Narcissa asked, turning her attention toward her son. "What's the matter?"

"Who is that with Professor Snape?"

Narcissa paused, looking into Flourish & Blotts where her son had pointed out. The girl was dressed in a black skirt, black top, and pale blue cloak with the Beauxbaton's emblem on the front. The girl had dark hair, chocolate, nearly ebony locks showing off, playful ringlets that cradled her face. Her azure eyes bright. They could see her face now, and she beheld a beaming smile across her lips, just an overall content demeanor to the young beauty.

"Well," Narcissa started softly, "I'm not too sure, Draco."

It wasn't a lie. The only thing she did know was that Severus and Krystal's daughter went to Beauxbaton's, but she had never seen their daughter grown up. Only as a baby.

"I see…" Draco said, shrugging slightly. "Another student, perhaps."

"Maybe." Narcissa said, "Anyone you've ever seen at school?"

"No," Draco replied, "She doesn't go to Hogwarts…"

"Well, not to worry, Draco." Narcissa told him, "I'm sure if you needed to know you would. After all, Professor Snape does look out for you quite well."

"Yeah…"

"She's quite the pretty one, however."

Draco was silent to her comment. He had nothing to say, quite frankly, but he did find her attractive. A nameless face, it continued to plague him, until he realized something. She was the same girl who he had come across last year in Diagon Alley. The one, his father was in such an uproar about. He wondered why.

His curiosity was peeked, however, to the point he wanted to go back and ask Professor Snape who it was. Draco did though, take his mother's words to heed and decided to ignore it. It wasn't important. Getting back home, Narcissa asked Lucius about a girl who would possibly be at Diagon Alley with Professor Snape, and Lucius, naturally, acted as if he hadn't a clue. In all actuality -- he was wondering why Severus was with her, and more importantly, WHY Draco was even at Diagon Alley that day.

Getting to the train station early September the first, Draco found his 'friends' Crabbe and Goyle easily, along with Marcus Flint. They took one cabin near the middle of the train, to talk of their summer vacations, and whatever topics came to mind. It was mainly Draco and Marcus talking. They were interrupted momentarily, by the cabin door being opened. Annabella Cooper and Angel Raye slipped into the compartment.

They crowded in, and spent the remaining train ride to Hogwarts talking about various things, from plans of for the upcoming year (Flint: "Another Slytherin Quidditch Cup.") to what they were expecting for the year. (Raye: "Potter love fest, unless his muggles killed him off.") Draco was trying to grasp what had happened to her over vacation, but he finally because something was not right. Something was strange. Angel was giggling at the thought of them not getting it. Draco finally noticed, as Goyle was still trying to figure it out.

"Did you get new robes?" Goyle asked, as Angel rolled her eyes.

"Of course I did, but that's not it."

"You dyed your bloody hair." Draco finally said, rolling his eyes. "It's not rocket science. It's definitely not surprising."

"Don't you like it?" Angel asked, as Draco just swatted his hand to the air, brushing it off.

"It looks fine."

"What's your problem?" She asked, frowning. "I thought you would at least say it looked good on me… you are after all, like a brother to me…"

"What do you want me to do? Put out an add in the bloody paper?" Draco asked, sighing quietly. "It looks good, are you happy?"

"No… but it'll do."

Draco just shook his head, resisting the urge to roll his eyes again. Women were so complicated, even little ones. He was quiet the rest of the way to Hogwarts, he really had nothing else that had to be said. Angel decided to talk to Goyle about the possibilities of the year ahead, as well as Crabbe, Marcus, and Anna. That was one thing with Angel, that was different than Draco. She accepted Goyle and Crabbe as Vincent and Gregory, not just 'oafs that follow Draco'. It also separated her from most people.

The train unloaded, and the six Slytherin students made their way to the carriages that would bring them to the castle. They had to survive the sorting ceremony, before the start of term feast, not to mention dealing with the "Welcome Back, Potter!" party, they were sure would just happen.

No longer was the feasts so impressive, as they were the first time through. Draco boredly poked at the plate in front of him, causing Angel to look toward him. She was sitting next to Pansy Parkinson, and Anna Cooper, just a few spaces on the opposite bench from Draco. She wasn't trying to be too obvious about getting his attention though, more so, trying to be less than evident.

"Draco…" Angel said his name quietly, but loud enough for him to hear. He slowly looked up, "Are you okay?"

"Yes." Draco answered shortly. "Why do you ask?"

"You look…"

"Bored." Draco finished her though, shrugging. "I'm fine, though."

"Wouldn't want you to be homesick, ickle Drakie."

A sarcastic toned voice said out loud. Draco's expression quickly turned south, changing from bored to annoyed. Dravin, who was sitting a few spaces away, smirked to himself. Graham slapped his forehead, constantly feeling like a referee in the Malfoy verses Black bout. This was round two from Diagon Alley. He was sure of it.

"You know, Black." Malfoy said, sneering slightly. "Have you learned nothing? Like how to respect a Malfoy?"

"Yep." he said, lifting his middle finger on his left hand toward Draco. "Hey, check that out. There's your respect, asshat."

"That would be almost insulting, if you weren't such an immature moron." Draco said, rolling his eyes. "Didn't your father ever teach you any manners?" he paused, mocking a shocked gasp. "Oh, that's RIGHT! Your father wouldn't know a damned thing about manners. And how could he teach you anything? He went to prison before you could even walk, isn't that right?"

There was silence at the table, and Dravin's expression turned from jubilantly sarcastic, to downright angry. Draco could almost hear his father's words of praise in his ear, as Angel even looked a little shocked. She did snicker slightly, though, knowing how they felt about each other. She sided with Draco, regardless. Crabbe and Goyle shamelessly laughed. That's what they could always be called on, making Draco look good. Pansy Parkinson even laughed. She was highly a Malfoy follower. She also had a large crush on Draco.

Just too bad Draco had feelings for his mystery girl.
He didn't even know her name, just her face.

He knew he wanted to make her his.

What ambition for a twelve year old…

That night, Draco sat in the common room, looking at the Daily Prophet. Marcus noticed something was the matter with Draco, yet, he couldn't put his finger on what was bothering the Slytherin Prince. He decided, since the common room was all but empty, to inquire.

"Draco?" Marcus said his name loud enough for him to hear, and Draco turned toward him. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing. Why?"

"You seem a little, displeased." Marcus said with a concerned look. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Draco said, "There's just a few things I need to sort out."

"Anything you need help with?"

"No," Draco replied. "It's - more of a mental thing really."

Sitting across the room going over some information for the year, sat his cousin Dravin Black. Hearing 'It's a mental thing', Dravin broke out snickering, causing Graham to look at him confused. Dravin hushed his laughter a little, as he leaned over, whispering in Graham's ear.

"Draco's talking with Flint, commenting about how he needs to sort a mental thing." Dravin said, "No kidding… the kid is a little bit off his rocker to begin with." Graham merely smirked at the remark.

"I couldn't be so bold as to say something myself," Graham said, "But from what I've heard, the kid is a bit of a prat."

"Bit?" Dravin chuckled. "Bit? Yeah mate, he's a bit of a prat. He's a little arrogant know-it-all. I'd so love to teach him a thing or two…"

"I can only imagine what you mean by that." Graham commented with a laugh.

"Keep imagining. What I'd have in mind wouldn't be permitted to be said in vicinity of this institute."

"Well at least you're careful in your homicidal deliberation!" Graham sniggered as Dravin just grinned to himself.

"I'll never tell what's in this head of mine…"

Halloween was the most eventful, as rumors of a specific chamber in the school swayed throughout the students. Rumors, Draco figured. There was a Halloween party on Halloween night, to which Draco attempted to avoid. Pansy tried to get him to go with her, he said no. Many times.

"Look, Pansy." Draco finally said, frustrated, as he shook his head. "I am not even going to this complete waste of time."

"B-But," Pansy looked a little hurt. "Won't you please? I'm sure you'd have a good time."

"No." Draco said, "I'm not wasting my night for something as stupid as this Halloween Ball. NOT a chance."

"All right," She said quietly, "If you really don't want to go…"

"I don't." He said shortly, "So drop it."

Draco didn't go to the Halloween Party. In fact, he hibernated in the Slytherin Common Room, trying to find out all that he could about this mystery chamber. He found out that it was the Chamber of Secrets, and only the Heir of Slytherin could open it. Unleashing the horror within. That made Draco curious, to the point that he wanted to know more. He sent an owl to his father, asking what he knew about this chamber of secrets. His father promptly replied.

Draco;

Funny you should be curious about this chamber. I wondered if the ordeal would come about while you went to Hogwarts...

All I can tell you, is that it was opened fifty years ago. Many stories have gone around saying whom opened it, but it was Tom Riddle who turned in the supposed assailant. A mudblood died in the entire fiasco, one less to bother with I reckon. No love loss.

I don't know a whole lot about it, but I do know only the heir can open it. What brings up the questions about it, though? Has it been opened again? Do tell me all the details.

Signed;
Father.

Draco smiled as he rolled up the parchment that his father wrote on, and put it away. He knew that would probably come in handy one of those days if he was ever asked by his fellow Slytherin if he knew anything. His father, in Draco's opinion, knew everything.

The year pressed on, and while Draco was still trudging through his work, and still bored with the overall demeanor of Hogwarts, he was more interested in finding out who the Heir of Slytherin was. He wanted nothing more than to find out, so he could HELP things along. Maybe eliminate a mudblood or two. Especially that jumped up mudblood Granger. That would have made his life a ton easier! Not having to deal with her at every whimsical calling, around every corner. She was a nuisance, just like that Weasel, and the scar-headed fool.

There was one particular afternoon that had Draco confused. Had the Prince of Slytherin thinking the entire school had gone mad with all the talk of the Chamber of Secrets. Goyle and Crabbe were more peculiar than usual. They were asking questions, that the day before conversation had already been had, and Goyle insisted Draco was the heir of Slytherin. As much as he would have loved to take credit for it, he couldn't. Then the two blithering idiots ran out of the Slytherin common room as if someone lit their trousers on fire.

"Morons."

The only logical explanation, Draco figured. They were morons. As he sat back down, a new watch in his possession, Angel Raye and Marcus Flint walked into the common room. Angel had spotted Potter and Weasley not far out of the Slytherin corridor, looking suspicious about something. It wasn't the first time she saw those two running around acting like they owned the school. It didn't even phase her anymore. She saw Draco putting something into his pocket, and walked over, sitting down next to him.

"What are you up to?"

"Me?" Draco yawned slightly, "Nothing. Why?"

"You just seem like you're up to no good?" Angel smiled at him, "Then again, that's nothing shy of the standard with you. Trouble follows you. You're a Malfoy."

"Hopefully it won't follow him onto the Quidditch Pitch." Marcus said with a cheeky grin, "That's the one place a Malfoy needs to stay out of trouble."

"I'm doing nothing out of the ordinary." Draco said, putting on his best innocent look. Sadly for him, he didn't have much of an innocence around him. At. All. "Just coming to a conclusion Goyle and Crabbe are absorbed in idiocy more than usual today."

"You're just coming to this conclusion?" Marcus asked, slightly amused. "I've known they're idiots for months. Even so long as a year and a half, or so."

"No, more than usual today, as I said." Draco repeated, "It's almost painful. I won't be bringing it up though, I know even though they're fools, they mean well…"

"You must be sick." Marcus said with a chuckle.

"Thank you!" Angel said, "I've been trying to tell you Gregory and Vincent are decent people!"

"They're decent followers, that's it…"

Writings on walls, mudbloods attacked, while everyone else was in fear, Draco was in hysterics. He found much humor in the fact that Collin 'Potter's Groupie' Creevey, and some 'Hufflepuff nobody' were attacked. However -- his greatest laugh came when Hermione Granger was attacked by this unnamed brutal force. He loved it, though! How could he not? It was his nature to be infatuated with something like the negativity that was happening at school, but of course, wherever there was something suspicious, something bad, something that would get a regular person expelled and BANISHED from Hogwarts, Potter was right there, and his little Weasel-Bee friend right with him. But were they in trouble? No. Were they expelled? Not a chance.

That pissed Draco off immensely.

He wrote and complained to his father, he complained to his mother, his friends, whoever would listen to the Slytherin Prince. Draco was no doubt jealous, more so infuriated by the 'special treatment' Potter and Weasley got from the school. More specifically, Professor Dumbledore. It was ridiculous in every definition of the word. Then - naturally - came the big deal of the school.

A student, had been taken by the 'monster' in the chamber.
A student, first year Gryffindor, by the name of Ginny Weasley…

HYSTERICAL! Draco went absolutely batty with the news. He found the entire situation to be painfully funny. He sat in the Slytherin Common Room after the news was broken out, reading the Daily Prophet. While a couple Slytherin students showed some sympathy -- mainly those who had younger siblings and wouldn't want to see it happen, the majority found the Weasley's on-going misfortune rather, droll. Getting snickers and giggles over the situation, it was supposed to be funny! Only in the Slytherin house, as you could imagine. Dravin Black made no point in keeping his thoughts to himself about it.

"It's inopportune, but it's absolutely not funny." He said to a few Slytherin students who were sitting with him. "I admit, I there's some things about that lot I find rather, anomalous ya see, kinda strange and crackers - but if I can be serious for one minute, I'd be devastated if someone I loved was stuck in that bloody chamber."

"It doesn't even exist…" Pansy Parkinson said with a huff, crossing her arms as a sneer spread across her vile facial features. "I bet it's just a scam."

"How 'bout I find that chamber and throw you in it, you daft cow?" Dravin asked, looking at her with a bit of a scowl. "You're a bloody git, I wouldn't expect you to know a damned thing -- but this is as real as real gets. I'd be delighted to show you around it!"

"That's not funny, Black…" Pansy said quietly, as Dravin smirked at her.

"Really? I 'eard a nice ol' monster is in that chamber, Pansy…" he stood up, and walked around her. Pansy felt uneasy about the older, platinum blonde Slytherin boy methodically 'stalking' her. "I 'eard that monster could kill ya," he snapped his fingers in her face, causing her to step back, "like THAT. Just by lookin' you in your lil' eye there. Would hate to see somethin' 'appen to a dolly gal like yourself…"

"You are NOT funny!" Pansy yelled at him, tears welling in her eyes as she looked away from him quickly. "Just stop it, all right!"

"Remember…" Dravin whispered in her ear, as he snapped his fingers again in front of her face. "Like that…"

Pansy walked away quickly, a little unnerved by Dravin's on carry, but Graham found it to be comical. He high fived Dravin as Black just smirked smugly to himself. Even Marcus Flint got a good laugh out of it. Draco paid little mind to Dravin's 'enlightenment' preaching, let along his intimidating the same girl who was attached to Draco's leg like a rabid 'frou frou dog', just humping away at fantasies. Why should he care? It didn't involve him…

Ah, but it did involve him…
He just didn't know it yet!

Lovely how the one involved was always the last to know, right?

Well the end of the year had come about. The rumors of the 'enchanted diary' came about, and all eyes, ears, and suspicions fell onto the Malfoy's. More specifically, a man named Lucius. Draco was annoyed by the negativity, to the point the young Malfoy prince sought out older counsel to talk about his issues. His problems. And naturally, something that had been bothering him all year.

He sought out Severus Snape.

The days were winding down, and school exams had been called off. After the possibility of leaving school early, anyway, if the culprit wasn't caught -- and now, no exams? Draco wasn't complaining. There was merely days until he'd return to the Malfoy Mansion for a delightful summer away from the 'hell hole' known as Hogwarts, he needed to get some answers and release some negative energy.

"Would you like some tea, Draco?" Severus asked him as they sat in the confines of his dungeon office. Draco nodded his head.

"That would be nice, Professor."

"You can call me Severus you know, if you'd like."

"You are still very much my superior, sir. Calling you by a first name bases, while a privilege, would be something I couldn't embrace. Just yet." Draco said respectfully, as Severus gave an understanding nod.

"As you wish, son."

"Thank you, sir."

"So tell me, what brings you by?" Severus asked, as he poured Draco a cup of tea. Draco shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, trying to make his dilemma as to not be a big deal to his mentor.

"First and foremost, I have to say, this ordeal with Potter has me, a bit riled you could say…"

"Naturally." Severus said surely, "Understandable. It has me a bit on the edge as well, Draco. I am not pleased by it by any means of definition."

"Then, of course, they blame my father over this whole, book - thing. My father, while he does have some items of the dark lord, was the journal really his dealings?"

"I do believe it was, Draco." Severus told him honestly, "It was said that Lucius held Tom Riddle's journal before he became Lord Voldemort. The enchanted journal was Lucius's keeps, but why he'd bestow something like that on a Weasley, is beyond me."

"It has me confused as well, sir."

"Well, I don't think we should concern ourselves with it, Draco. It's not our problem right now, nor is it anymore. The book will be destroyed and we'll all be finished with it."

"One more thing has been bothering me, sir, but I don't know how to approach it…"

"Straight ahead, I would reckon, Draco." Severus said, "What is it?"

"Who was that girl you were with at Diagon Alley at the end of August…?"

Severus, went silent. Had Draco saw him with Lena that day at Diagon Alley? For sure. Did Severus suspect a thing after the year they had at Hogwarts? Not a chance. Severus put on a smile, as he shook his head a little. He hated the idea of blatantly lying to Draco, as he had become close to the lad over time, but he just had to. He couldn't risk it.

"That was just a student I know through my wife, Draco." Severus said, "She goes to Beauxbaton's Academy. Her name is Lena…Wood."

"Wood?"

"Yes. Not to worry, though, son. It's not a big deal."

Not a big deal, yeah, for Severus -- that was like saying his daughter didn't matter. And that hurt him. Everyone who knew him and his relationship with her (outside of the immediate guest, in Draco), KNEW how much his daughter meant to him. So his smile, was faker than fake. Inside he felt horrible, to the point -- he was questioning why he had to keep Lena away from Draco. He was clearly interested in her! He kept reminding himself, though, that they had no idea what the dark lord had in store. He couldn't risk it. Not now. Not ever.

After the conversation, Draco decided to finally let it rest. He was twelve years old, it wasn't as if he was seeking out a potential wife, but this girl, Lena Wood, was beautiful. Surely she had to be smart if she was in cohorts with Professor Snape, and a good prospect for if Draco did have to find a bride. Maybe eventually he could meet this girl, and get her to fall for him like he had for her.
By few cast glances, and playing sneak-a-peek tag in Diagon Alley.
Sometimes the most fateful events happened by chance.

--

The end of the year was here, and Draco was getting ready to go home when Severus came to the boy's room to give him something before they were set to head back to their respective places of residence. It was a pendent. Severus had never had a pupil he was mentoring so closely as he did Malfoy. Malfoy was more of his protégé, if you will.

"What is this for, sir?"

"This is a token of my respect," Severus said with a small smile. "I know you aren't old enough for the dark mark, so this is the closest I could give you to something of that power." He explained, "Your father will know what this is. He has one, as do I. It's a pendent of the order."

"Why are you giving me this, Professor?"

"Because I see a lot of potential in you, my boy." Severus said, "You would make any lord or lady proud, and I for a fact know, Lord Voldemort would be pleased with how well you have come along thus far."

"Thank you…"

"Do ask your father of it's importance. He will be more than happy to explain it to you, I assure you."

"I will, Professor. I promise you that much."

"Right, then." Severus smiled proudly, "I will see you next term, correct?"

"Of course. I have to come back."

"Fantastic. We can continue your lessons upon your return. Do have a good summer holiday, Draco."

"Thank you, Professor. You too."

Draco made a mental note to ask his father the significance of the pendant, but Draco was also very flattered by Professor Snape's consideration. A part of him felt that he considered Professor Snape as more than just a mentor, an advisor, but a father figure -- a figure to look up to.

It wouldn't change for next year, that was for sure.